Job Vacancy: Football Social Responsibility Officer

Finn Harps are Donegal’s Senior Football Club representing the region on the national stage in footballs top competitive national leagues at senior level and underage groups for both boys and girls.

There are over 200 registered players playing for Finn Harps and its academy representing every town and village in the county.

Opportunity: Football Social Responsibility Officer

The successful candidate will have responsibility for delivering our football community engagement

Key Responsibilities:

  • Act as a single FSR point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Coordinate and oversee the club’s FSR and sustainability strategy, using UEFA’s Football Sustainability Strategy 2030 and the FAI FSR Strategy 2023-2027 as a framework.
  • Collaborate closely with all club departments to develop and promote FSR guidelines, policies and activities.
  • Guide decision-making processes to improve overall club performance and support strategic objectives.
  • Contribute to the achievement of measurable long-term sustainability objectives and KPIs.
  • Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to coordinate the design, development and delivery of socially focussed programmes, services and events in the football club’s local community
  • Liaise and cooperate with a broad range of community service providers including Local Authorities, Social Services, various Government Departments and other relevant statutory agencies in the design, development and delivery of socially focussed programmes
  • Liaise and cooperate with a variety of community groups and organisations to develop and maintain club in the community relationships and to identify target clientele for the club’s FSR programmes.
  • Coordinate the delivery of a range of social services in the community including (but not limited to) football themed education/health programmes for schoolchildren, working with elderly and other groups of marginalised people and facilitate football activities for people with disabilities.
  • Plan your own work schedule and set work targets in consultation with the Club Board.
  • Approach the role with a strategic mindset with a view to the growth and sustainability of the club’s FSR remit.
  • Keep up to date with local, regional and national developments in the education, health and welfare sector, in relation to both policy and practice.
  • Identify opportunities to create new income streams via fundraising events, philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, charitable foundations and EU and statutory funding avenues and apply for relevant grants related to the club’s ongoing FSR work
  • Liaise with the Club Board to explore and develop the commercial potential of the services delivered by the Club’s FSR activity
  • Collate information and prepare reports for the Club Board and programme funders
  • Liaising with identified target groups, including but not limited to children, young people, their parents and adults with a focus on disadvantaged families
  • The development of physical exercise/educational health programmes to educate adults, young people and children on a countywide level on the benefits of a healthier lifestyle
  • Affecting behavioural change through the introduction of healthy habits that develop into lifestyle changes
  • Monitoring and recording the progress and outcomes

Key Skills Required:

  • Minimum of two years’ experience of working in community development projects/social inclusion programmes with economically, socially, geographically and / or educationally disadvantaged people
  • Minimum of two years’ experience of leading / managing projects or programmes
  • Demonstrate strong stakeholder management skills with ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Have an understanding of the third sector (not-for-profit sector) and how it is funded
  • Have a clear understanding of how social enterprises operate
  • Knowledge and experience of fund-raising for not-for-profit organisations(s) would be an advantage
  • Knowledge of national and local statutory agencies which could directly affect the project is essential in particular, Local Authorities, Education and Training Boards and the Health Service Executive.
  • Have a sound understanding of the promotion of social inclusion through sport

Education

  • Third level academic qualification in Sport, Social Science / Social Care, Youth / Community Studies or other relevant qualifications or experience.
  • A recognised training qualification (e.g. Train the Trainer QQI level 6) would be an advantage

Abilities, Skills and Knowledge

  • A knowledge of the role of the local statutory and voluntary sectors in relation to sports development
  • A knowledge of the local and regional football landscape and the operations of League of Ireland clubs would be an advantage
  • Proven ability to think and plan strategically with a focus on future challenges
  • A highly motivated professional, solution focused and accountable in all that you do
  • Energetic personality – resilient, results driven and flexible in both working hours and in approach to unfamiliar/changing situations
  • Excellent administrative and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
  • Strong interpersonal skills are essential to the role with the ability to interact with sensitivity, efficiency and professionalism
  • Have good listening skills, be non-judgemental and possess an empathetic and understanding nature
  • Creative, innovative, proactive and pragmatic
  • Be resourceful with excellent problem-solving skills
  • Strong and confident communicator (both written and verbal) including ability to draft summary information and correspondence.
  • Proven self-initiative
  • Excellent presentation skills
  • Competence in IT systems
  • Resilient and results focused
  • Excellent report writing skills
  • Flexible and adaptable in approach
  • A keen interest in football is essential
  • A nationally recognised football coaching qualification although not essential would be an advantage.
  • Full driving license

This role has been part funded by Healthy Ireland

Application Process:

The club reserves the right to select a shortlist from the applications received. Please forward updated CV to the following email address [email protected] before 24th February 2022.